We have given quite a bit of thought to which grasses are appropriate
for growing in containers. We have not tried all of these, however in
coming up with this list we have considered things such as:

how fast the root system grows

how well the plant adapts to being pot bound

height of the plant (most grasses will be smaller in containers)

how it looks throughout the gardening season

Chasmanthium latifolium

When choosing grasses for containers, it helps to keep in mind that
cool season grasses will grow and bloom earlier in the season. With
warm season grasses often the main feature is their blooms and since
they bloom late in the season, one might want to think of them as late-season
containers. Combining warm and cool season grasses in the same container
will provide a longer season of interest. Carex flagellifera doesn't
really bloom, but with its tan-colored foliage, provides great contrast.

Want to keep the containerized plants over the winter?

A plant kept in a container over the winter will loose 1 to 2 zones
of hardiness. That means that a grass hardy to Zone 3, such as Calamagrostis
x acutiflora 'Karl Foerster' should be able to survive the winter above
ground in a pot in Zone 5. If you can't keep it in a warmer location
for the winter, then try packing bags of leaves around and above the
pot. Or you could dig a hole in the ground and place the plant in it
(it is highly recommended that the plant be removed from the pot first).
Be sure to water the plant in so that the soil settles in snugly around
the root mass.

Summer Care

Please note that many grasses will flop if they are fertilized, so
these are not to be treated with too much TLC!

If you are planning on combining different grasses in the same container
they should have the same moisture needs. Please refer to
the individual plant's webpages or to our Grass
Comparison Chart to determine which plants will work
with each other.

The Festucas are, for the most
part, small grasses that work well in containers. However
due to their tendency to soak up all the available water
before other plants can get their share, we recommend that
they be put in their own pot. Also, their nice form and
flowers are best appreciated when they are alone in a container.

We would love to receive feedback from those of you who have grown
plants in pots. This will help others to be successful.

From J. Cosentino, Boston, MA, Zone 5/6:

"Calamagrostis 'Overdam' does wonderfully in pots. I have had
2 plants in a 3'x18"x18" trough and they have
survived the winters and thrived. Miscanthus did well
in the summer but did not survive the winter, though I
didn't do anything to protect it. I am going to try the
hardier Miscanthus purpurascens this year."